Pronunciation: [kwˈɪnzi] (IPA) 
Quinsy is a medical term referring to a severe throat infection. The spelling of this word may seem odd at first glance, but it is actually quite logical when broken down phonetically. The pronunciation of quinsy is /ˈkwɪnzi/. The "qu" at the beginning can be explained by the fact that the sound /kw/ is a digraph in English (two letters that make one sound). The "y" at the end is likely a result of the word's history and etymology.
Quinsy is a noun that refers to a severe and painful inflammation of the throat and tonsils, usually resulting from an untreated or poorly treated case of tonsillitis. It is also known as peritonsillar abscess or parapharyngeal abscess.
The condition typically occurs when an infection spreads from the tonsils to the surrounding tissues, causing the formation of a pus-filled abscess. This can lead to severe complications if not promptly treated, as the abscess can impede normal swallowing and breathing, causing intense pain and difficulty opening the mouth.
Symptoms of quinsy usually include severe sore throat, swollen and red tonsils, difficulty swallowing, fever, headache, and often a noticeable swelling on one side of the throat or neck. The affected individual may also experience ear pain and a muffled or "hot potato" voice.
Treatment for quinsy usually involves a combination of antibiotics to fight the infection and drainage of the abscess. In some cases, a needle or a small incision may be made to remove the accumulated pus. Pain medication and warm saltwater gargles are often recommended to provide relief from the discomfort. However, in more severe cases, surgical intervention to remove the tonsils may be necessary.
In summary, quinsy is a serious and painful inflammation of the throat and tonsils that can lead to complications if not promptly and effectively treated.
Circumtonsillar abscess; acute suppurative inflammation of the faucial tonsil and surrounding tissues.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Acute inflammation of the tonsils; inflammatory sore throat.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "quinsy" is derived from the Latin term "quinsia", which was later altered to "cynanche" in Late Latin. It then entered Old French as "quinsie", retaining its initial pronunciation. Eventually, it became anglicized as "quinsy" during the Middle English period. The term refers to a type of severe and painful inflammation of the tonsils, often leading to an abscess.
